A teenager who robbed a 16-year-old and two friends on their way home has been put behind bars for 18 months.

Adam Hartwell, aged 19, of Winfield Street, Rugby, was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Judge Marten Coates said drugs and violence would not be tolerated but said he would be lenient in this case.

The judge said: "Being involved in dealing in class A drugs is a serious matter, and for the offence of violent robbery a judge would normally pass a consecutive sentence, but I will make the sentences concurrent.

"I don't think there are many judges who would have done that." The court heard that Hartwell punched and kicked a 16-year-old boy in Railway Terrace, Rugby, in May before stealing his mobile phone.

The 16-year-old and two friends were on their way home after watching a play at Harris School, Rugby, when the robbery happened.

After Hartwell was arrested police recovered the stolen phone from his home at the time, in Campbell Street, Rugby, where officers also found 99 ecstasy tablets.

Hartwell said the drugs had been there for about two weeks and that a dealer was set to pick them up.

Louise Pierpoint, prosecuting, added that Hartwell had recent convictions for theft and assault, including one from May when he had got out of a car and headbutted another teenager without any provocation.

Richard Adams, defending, said the offences happened at a time when Hartwell was going through a crisis and that "his life imploded."

But Judge Coates said: "Other people have crises in their lives without going out and beating people up.

"It does not justify street violence of this nature.

"I am told in the pre-sentence report the reason you turned to violent crime was because you had fallen out with your parents. I am sorry, you can be as angry as you like, but you cannot go out beating people up."